23
2006 Minerals Yearbook CHROMIUM U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey April 2008
2006 Minerals YearbookChroMiuM
U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey
April 2008
Chromium—2006 17.1
in2006,theu.S.chromiumsupply(measuredincontainedchromium)was179,000metrictons(t)fromrecycledstainlesssteelscrap,520,000tfromimports,and384,000tfromGovernmentandindustrystocks.Supplydistributionwas212,000ttoexports,281,000ttoGovernmentandindustrystocks,and589,000ttoapparentconsumption.Chromiumapparentconsumptionincreasedby7.5%comparedwiththatof2005.historically,chromiumferroalloyshavereplacedchromiteoreastheleadingsourceofchromiumtotheu.S.economy.Stainlesssteelmillproductshavebeenaccountingforanincreasingshareofchromiumsupplytothedomesticeconomy,nowrivalingthatofferrochromium.Becausestainlesssteelmillproductscontributeasignificantamountofchromiumtothedomesticeconomy,tradeintheseproductshasbeenincorporatedintochromiumtradestatisticsandtheircontributionaccountedforinchromiumapparentconsumption.
Chromiumhasawiderangeofusesinchemicals,metals,andrefractorymaterials.itsuseiniron,nonferrousalloys,andsteelisforthepurposeofenhancinghardenabilityorresistancetocorrosionandoxidation.Productionofstainlesssteelandnonferrousalloysaretwoofitsmorecriticalapplications.otherapplicationsareinalloysteel,catalysts,leatherprocessing,pigments,platingofmetals,refractories,andsurfacetreatments.
Chromiumisanessentialtraceelementforhumanhealth.Somechromiumcompounds,however,areacutelytoxic,chronicallytoxic,and/orcarcinogenic.Theu.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)regulateschromiumreleasesintotheenvironment.TheoccupationalSafetyandhealthAdministration(oShA)regulatesworkplaceexposure.
BecausetheunitedStateshassmallchromiteorereservesandasmallreservebase,domesticsupplyhasbeenaconcernduringeverynationalmilitaryemergencysinceWorldWari.Worldchromiteoreresources,miningcapacity,andferrochromiumproductioncapacityareconcentratedintheEasternhemisphere.inrecognitionofthevulnerabilityoflongsupplyroutesduringamilitaryemergency,chromium(invariousforms,includingchromiteore,chromiumferroalloys,andchromiummetal)washeldintheNationalDefenseStockpile(NDS)sincebeforeWorldWarii.Asaresultofchangednationalsecurityconsiderationssince1991,stockpilegoalshavebeenreduced,andinventoryisbeingsold.materialforrecyclingistheonlydomesticcommercialchromiumsupplysource.
Theu.S.GeologicalSurvey(uSGS)hasconductedmineralresourcesurveysoftheunitedStatestoassessthepotentialforoccurrencesofchromiumandothermineralresources.TheNationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration,theNationalinstituteofStandardsandTechnology,theu.S.DepartmentofDefense(DoD),andtheu.S.DepartmentofEnergyconductalternativematerialsresearch.
Domestic Data Coverage
DomesticdataforchromiummaterialsweredevelopedbytheuSGSbymeansofthemonthly“ChromiteoresandChromiumProducts”and“ConsolidatedConsumers”consumersurveys.Stainlessandheat-resistingsteelproducersaretheleadingchromiumconsumers,andhigh-carbonferrochromiumistheleadingchromium-containingmaterialconsumed.
Legislation and Government Programs
TheDefenseNationalStockpileCenter(DNSC)disposedofchromiummaterialsunderitsfiscalyear2006(october1,2005,throughSeptember30,2006)AnnualmaterialsPlan(AmP)andannouncedthefiscalyear2007plan.TheDNSC’sfiscalyear2007AmPsetmaximumdisposalgoalsforchromiummaterialsat136,000tofchromiumferroalloys,84,400tofrefractory-gradechromiteore,4,540tofchemical-gradechromiteore,and907tofchromiummetal(DefenseNationalStockpileCenter,2006).
TheDNSCreported2006fiscalyearsalesof905tofchromiummetalfor$5.6millionand104,000tofchromiumferroalloysfor$98.2million(holder,2006).
Production
Themajormarketplacechromium-containingmaterialsarechromiteoreandfoundrysand;chromiumchemicals,ferroalloys,andmetal;andstainlesssteel.in2006,theunitedStatesproducedchromiumferroalloys,metal,chemicals,andstainlesssteel.TheunitedStatesisamajorworldproducerofchromiumchemicals,chromiummetal,andstainlesssteel(themajorenduseofchromium).
Erametmariettainc.producedchromiummetalusingtheelectrolyticprocessattherateofabout3,000metrictonsperyear(t/yr).About1,200t/yrofthatchromiummetalwasvacuumdegassed.Vacuumdegassedisthechromiummetalgradeusedforsuperalloyproduction(ryan’sNotes,2006a).
oregonresourcesCorporation(orC)[asubsidiaryofindustrialmineralsCorporation(Australia)]extractedbulksamplesofchromiteoreatitssurfacemineinCoosCounty,or.orCdevelopeditsmaterialbeneficiationprocesstorecoverchromite,garnet,andzirconmineralswithproductionexpectedtostartin2008(industrialmineralsCorporation,2007).orCreportedprovenreservesof1.27millionmetrictons(mt)ofmineralsands(provenplusprobablereservesof1.9mt;geologicresourcesof6.4mt)thatcontainedanaverageof13%chromite.Thecompanyestimatedthatitwouldproduceabout41,000t/yroffoundry-gradechromite(industrialminerals,2005).orCdeterminedthatitsproductwasbestsuitedforthefoundrymarket(resourceFinance&investment,2006).
ChromiumByJohnF.Papp
Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Columbus J. Dixon, statistical assistant, and the world production tables were prepared by Glenn J. Wallace, international data coordinator.
17.2 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
Theu.S.stainlesssteelindustryproducesmorethan2millionmetrictonsperyear(mt/yr)ofstainlesssteelandimportsandexportsstainlesssteelmillproductsandscrap.Thestainlesssteelindustryistheleadingconsumerofchromiummaterials.Asignificantamountofchromiumisimportedandexportedinstainlesssteelmillproductsandscrap.
NorthAmericanStainless(NAS)producedstainlesssteelinGhent,kentucky.NASreportedmeltshopproductiontohavebeen849,504tin2006comparedwith767,624tin2005,and690,882tin2004.NASbroughtelectricfurnaceno.2intoproductionandplannedtoacquireasecondAoDconverterandaladlefurnacetocomeintooperationin2008,atwhichtimeNASmeltingproductioncapacitywillbeabout1.415millionmt/yr(Acerinox,2006,p.12,p.105-107;2007,p.12-13,p.104-107).
Environment
undercourtordertodoso,oShAloweredthe8-hourtime-weightedaveragehexavalentchromiumworkplacepermissibleexposure(PEl)limitto5microgramspercubicmeterofair.oShAhadpreviouslysetthehexavalentchromiumPElat52microgramspercubicmeterofair(occupationalSafetyandhealthAdministration,2006;u.S.Departmentoflabor,2006).TheEPAregulatesandreportsonchromiumreleasestotheenvironment(u.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,2006).
Prices
Chromiummaterialsarenotopenlytraded.Purchasecontractsareconfidentialbetweenbuyerandseller;however,tradejournalsreportcompositepricesbasedoninterviewswithbuyersandsellers,andtradersdeclarethevalueofmaterialstheyimportorexport.Thus,industrypublicationsandu.S.tradestatisticsaresourcesofchromiummaterialpricesandunitvalues,respectively.
TheaverageSouthAfricanrandexchangerateincreasedto6.767randperu.S.dollarin2006from6.366randperu.S.dollarin2005(PacificExchangerate,2007).Thereisstrongcorrelationbetweentheunitvalueofu.S.high-carbonferrochromiumandtheu.S.dollarvalueoftheSouthAfricanrand.Whentheexchangerateprovidesfewerrandperdollar,theunitvalueofu.S.high-carbonferrochromiumincreases.Comparedwiththatof2005,therandexchangerateincreased6.3%andtheunitvalueofu.S.high-carbonferrochromiumimportsdecreasedby8.9%.
Foreign Trade
Chromium-containingmaterialexportsfromandimportstotheunitedStatesincludedchromiteore;chromiumchemicals,ferroalloys,metal,andpigments;andstainlesssteel.Basedonforeigntradestatisticscollectedbytheu.S.DepartmentoftheTreasuryandreportedbytheu.S.DepartmentofCommerce,thevalueofforeigntradeofthesechromiummaterialsexcludingstainlesssteelwas$121millionforexportsand$529millionforimportsin2006.Asignificantamountofchromiumenterstheu.S.economyasstainlesssteelmillproductandscraptrade.Thevalueofforeigntradeofchromiummaterialsincluding
stainlesssteelmillproductsandscrapwas$2,410millionforexportsand$3,950millionforimports.
World Industry Structure
Thechromiumindustrycompriseschromiteore,chromiumchemicalsandmetal,ferrochromium,stainlesssteel,andchromiterefractoryproducers.Severaltrendsaresimultaneouslytakingplaceinthechromiumindustry.Thechromiumchemicalindustryhaseliminatedexcessproductioncapacity,concentratingonproductiongrowthinsurvivingplants.Chromiterefractoryusehasbeendeclining;however,foundryusehasbeenincreasingslowly.Environmentalconcernshavereducedtheuseofchromiumchemicalsandchromiterefractories.Theamountofchromiteorefromindependentproducersisdeclining,whilethatfromverticallyintegratedproducersisincreasing.inotherwords,chromiteoreminestendnowtobeownedandoperatedbychromiterefractory,chromiumchemical,orferrochromiumproducers.Thistrendisassociatedwiththemigrationofferrochromiumproductioncapacityfromstainlesssteelproducingcountriestochromiteoreproducingcountries,atrendthathasbeeninterruptedwiththeemergenceofChinaasasignificantferrochromiumandleadingstainlesssteelproducer.Whileferrochromiumproductioncapacitywasclosedinhistoricallyproducingcountries,whichusuallyhavebeenstainlesssteelproducingcountries,newfurnacesorplantswereconstructedinchromiteoreproducingareas.Theelectricalpowerandsubmerged-arcelectricfurnaceproductioncapacitiesusedtoproduceferrochromiumhavebeenincreasing.Furnacesbuiltrecentlyhaveanelectricalcapacityinthetensofmegavolt-amperes(mVA);whereaswhenferrochromiumplantswerefirstbuilt,furnacesratedinthelowkilovoltampererangewerecommon.
Productionprocessimprovements,suchasagglomerationofchromiteore,preheatingandprereductionoffurnacefeed,andclosed-furnacetechnology,havebeenretrofittedattheplantsofmajorproducersandarebeingincorporatedinnewlyconstructedplants.Sincetheintroductionofpost-meltingrefiningprocessesinthesteelindustryafter1960,therehasbeenashiftinproductiontohigh-carbonferrochromiumfromlow-carbonferrochromium.Afteryearsofferrochromiumproduction,slagstockpileshavebuiltup.recentlydevelopedprocesseshaveefficientlyrecoveredferrochromiumfromthatslag,andprocesseshavebeenorarebeinginstalledatexistingplantsites.inSouthAfrica,theleadingchromite-ore-andferrochromium-producingcountry,threetrendsareemerging—ferrochromiumplantsarebeingdevelopedinthewesternbeltoftheBushveldComplex,ferrochromiumplantsarebeingbuiltinassociationwithchromiteoremines,andferrochromiumproductionprocessesarebeingdesignedtoaccommodatechromiteorebyproductrecoveredfromplatinumoperations.
Capacity.—ratedcapacityisdefinedasthemaximumquantityofproductthatcanbeproducedinaperiodoftimeatanormallysustainablelong-termoperatingrate,basedonthephysicalequipmentoftheplantandgivenacceptableroutineoperatingproceduresinvolvinglabor,energy,materials,andmaintenance.Capacityincludesbothoperatingplantsandplantstemporarilyclosedthatcanbebroughtintoproduction
Chromium—2006 17.3
withinashortperiodoftimewithminimumcapitalexpenditure.Becausenotallcountriesorproducersmakeinformationaboutproductioncapacityavailable,historicalchromiumtradedatahavebeenusedtoestimatenationalproductioncapacities.reportedproductioncapacitychangesresultfrombothfacilitychangesandincreasedknowledgeaboutfacilities.Newinformationaboutafacilitymayresultinthereevaluationofproductioncapacityforthatfacility.Productioncapacitieshavebeenratedforthechromiteore,chromiumchemical,chromiummetal,ferrochromium,andstainlesssteelindustries(table7).
Production.—in2006,worldchromiteoreproductionwasabout19.2mtgrossweight,ofwhichabout95.2%wasproducedforthemetallurgicalindustry;2.2%,forthechemicalindustry;1.2%,forthefoundryindustry;and0.8%,fortherefractoryindustry(internationalChromiumDevelopmentAssociation,2007,p.1).
Chromium Metal.—majorchromiummetalproducersincludedrussiaandtheunitedStates(bytheelectrolyticprocess)andChina,France,russia,andtheunitedkingdom(bythealuminothermicprocess).
Stainless Steel.—in2006,worldstainlesssteelproductionwas28.3mt,anincreaseof17%comparedwiththatof2005(internationalStainlessSteelForum,2007).
Stainless Steel Scrap.—Stainlesssteelscrapisanimportantsourceofchromiumtothestainlesssteelindustry.recyclingofstainlesssteelscrapaccountsforasignificantbutundocumentedfractionofworldstainlesssteelproduction.
World Review
Albania.—DarfoS.p.A(italy)producedchromiteoreandferrochromium.Darfoplannedtodoubleferrochromiumproductioncapacityby2008.
Australia.—PilbaraChromitePty.ltd.(asubsidiaryofConsolidatedmineralslimited)produced252,867tofchromiteoreinfinancialyear2006(July1,2005,throughJune30,2006)comparedwith241,756tinfinancialyear2005.Pilbara’schromiteoregradewas42%chromicoxide(Cr
2o
3);production
capacitywas250,000t/yr(Consolidatedmineralslimited,2006,p.14).
Brazil.—Brazilproducedchromiteore,ferrochromium,andstainlesssteel.Brazilreported2005chromiteoreproductionof616,534t(253,082tCr
2o
3-content),exported139,326tof
chromiteore(64,000tCr2o
3-content),andimported17,590
t(7,916Cr2o
3-content).Brazilproducedfromachromiteore
reservecontainingabout5.362mtCr2o
3-content.in2005,Brazil
produced197,653tofchromiumferroalloys.Brazilimported11,259tofferrochromiumandexported149t(Gonçalves,2006).Basedonproductionofchromiteoreandtradeofchromiteoreandchromiumferroalloys,Brazilianchromiumapparentconsumptionwas270,000tin2005.ExpansionofBrazilianstainlesssteelproductioncapacitywasexpectedtoincreasedomesticdemandfordomesticallyproducedferrochromium.
Canada.—Canadareportedchromiummineralimportsof60,589tin2005;55,853tin2004;and68,571tin2003;exportsof2,991tin2005;3,685tin2004;and3,830tin2003(NaturalresourcesCanada,2006).
China.—Chinaproducedchromiteore,ferrochromium,
chromiumchemicalsandmetal,andstainlesssteel.China’schromiteoreproductionissmall,soChinaimportsmostofitschromiteoreneeds.China’sferrochromiumproductioncapacitywasabout1.5mt(0.4mtoflow-carbonferrochromiumand1.1mtofhigh-carbonferrochromium)(li,2006).inordertoimprovetheenvironment,Chinasoughttoreducethenumberofsmallferrochromiumproducersinfavoroflarger,moreefficient,andlesspollutingferrochromiumproducersbyidentifyingenvironmentallyacceptableoperations,increasingelectricalpowercosttounapprovedproducers,andreducingtaxrebatesonchromium-containingexports.
Ferrochromiumproductionrosetoanestimated900,000tfrom330,000tin2002.Productioncapacitybyprovincewashunan,20,000t;innermongolia,100,000t;Jilin,50,000t;liaoning,50,000t;Shanghai,30,000t;Shanxi,305,000t;Sichuan,300,000t;andXinjiang,50,000t.Ferrochromiumproductionwassupportedbyimportsof4.1mtofchromiteore,upfrom1.14mtin2002,mostofwhichwassuppliedbyindia,therepublicofSouthAfrica,andTurkeyin2006.FerrochromiumproductioninChinasupportedstainlesssteelproductionthathasincreasedtoanestimated4.5mtfrom2.3mtin2004andisexpectedtocontinueincreasing.Asaresultofthisincrease,Chinahasaccountedforthemainworldgrowthinchromiumconsumption(mirakhmedov,2006).
SinosteelCorporationacquiredShanghaiShenjiaFerroalloyWorksandTuoliTaihangFerroalloyCompany.ShanghaiShenjiaoperatedthreeelectricfurnaceswithatotalproductioncapacityof150,000t/yrofferrochromium.SinosteelplannedtomovethefurnacestoXuzhouCity,JiangsuProvince,whereitwillbeintegratedwithtwofurnacesunderconstructionandbeoperatedasJinxiangmetallurgicalwithaproductioncapacityof200,000t/yrofferrochromium.TuoliTaihang,XinjianguygurAutonomousregion,operatedwithproductioncapacityof70,000t/yrofferrochromiumandplannedtoexpandto140,000t/yrin2007withthecommissioningoftwonew12,500kilovoltampereelectricarcfurnaces.TuoliTaihangplannedtoincreaseproductioncapacityto300,000t/yrafter2007.Sinosteelalsoacquired70%ofTuoliGuoyuan’schromitemineandelectricalpowergenerationfacilitiesinthearea.TuoliGuoyuansuppliedabout20%ofTuoliTaihangchromiteoreneedswiththeremainderimportedfromkazakhstan(metalBulletin,2006;TEXreport,2006c).SinosteelalsoplannedajointventurewithSamancor(SouthAfrica)totakea50%interestin5of6furnacesatTubatseFerrochrome.ThesixthfurnacewasjointlyownedbySamancorandNipponSteelCorporation(Japan)(Piasecka,2006).Sinosteel’sagreementwithSamancorincludedferrochromiumproductioncapacityat300,000t/yrandchromiteoreproductioncapacityat1.6mt/yr,andchromiteoreresourcesof74mt.
Finland.—Finlandproducedchromiteoreatkemimine,ferrochromiumatTornioWorks,andstainlesssteelatTornioWorks.outokumpuproduced549,000tofmarketablechromiteorefrom1.2mtofrun-of-mineoreand243,000tofferrochromiumin2006comparedwith572,000tofchromiteorefrom1.1mtofrun-of-mineoreand235,000tofferrochromiumin2005.outokumpureported2006chromiteoreprovenreservesof39mtgradedat26%Cr
2o
3,indicated
resourcesof13mtat29%Cr2o
3,andinferredresources72mt
17.4 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
at29%Cr2o
3.outokumpureportedstainlesssteelproduction
in2006from1.65mt/yrmelting,1.6mt/yrhotrolling,and1.2mt/yrfinishedproductsstainlesssteelproductioncapacitiesatitsTornioWorks.outokumpualsohadstainlesssteel-producingplantsinSwedenandtheunitedkingdom.outokumpuplannedtoaddferriticgradesofstainlesssteeltoitsTornioproductline,anticipatedtoreach60,000t/yrofferriticstainlesssteel(outokumpu,2007,p.21).
outokumpustudiedtheferrochromiumproductionprocessestoimprovethesustainabilityofitsoperationsbyaccountingfortheincreasedcostandreducedqualityofrawmaterials,increasedenergycost,stricterenvironmentalregulations,anddemandforbetterworkingconditions(Daavittila,2004).outokumpufoundthecostofferrochromiumproductioninEuropewasdistributedasfollows:chromiteore,30%;electricity,30%;reducingagent,20%;andother,20%.Physicallawssettheminimumamountsofchromiteore,reducingagent,andenergyrequiredtoproduceferrochromium;however,realprocessinefficienciesresultinmaterialandenergyuseovertheseminima.Changesinproductiontechnologyhaveimprovedproductionefficiencyandprofitabilityofferrochromiumoperations.inparticular,thehistoricalmovementfromlumporetopelletizedorefeed,fromopentosemiclosedtoclosedfurnaces,andfromlow-powertohigh-powerfurnaces,alongwiththeintroductionofairandwatercleaningprocesseshasimprovedsustainability.outokumpuidentifiedfurnaceandotherproductionequipmentavailabilityasthemajorprofitabilityissuefacingtheferrochromiumindustry,especiallyforlargerfurnaces.inaddition,profitabilitycanbeimprovebyincreaseduseoflower-costrawmaterials,increasedfurnacesize,moreefficientenergyuseandrecovery,greaterautomation,andstricterenvironmentalcontrol.
kaitue(2005)reportedthatthe21Europeanstainlesssteelproducersin1976hadconsolidatedto4producersin2001,thatfrom1980through2002stainlesssteelcompoundannualdemandgrowthratewas5.5%,andthatoutokumpuwasEurope’sthirdlargeststainlesssteelproducer(asmeasuredbyslabcapacity).
France.—Franceproducedchromiummetalandstainlesssteel.Arcelormittal,amultinationalcompany,reportedthat11,550employeesproduced2.6mtofstainlesssteelandshipped2.2mtin2006(Arcelor,2007,p.96).
Germany.—ElektrowerkeWeisweilerGmbhproducedlow-carbonferrochromium,andThyssenkrupp,amultinationalcorporation,producedstainlesssteel.ElektrowerkeWeisweilerwasownedbykermasGroup(unitedkingdom).kermasalsoownedSerovFerroalloysPlant(russia)andSamancor(SouthAfrica),otherlow-carbonferrochromiumproducers.
India.—indiaproducedchromiteore,chromiumchemicals,ferrochromium,andstainlesssteel.
harman(2007)reportedthedevelopmentoftheindianferrochromiumindustry.indiastartedferrochromiumproductionin1967whenFerroAlloysCorporationcommissioneda12mVAsubmergedarcfurnacetoproducehigh-carbonandferrochromiumsiliconwhichwere,inturn,mixedwithmaterialspreheatedinarotarykilnfurnaceinan8mVAtiltingfurnacetoproducelow-carbonferrochromium.indianproducersfavoredlow-powerfurnacesfortheirflexibilitytoshiftamongferroalloys.larger,export-orientedhigh-carbonferrochromium
productioncapacitythattookadvantageofindianrawmaterialsandtheopportunitytoearnforeigncurrencywasaddedinthe1980s.in2006,indiahad26plantswith47furnaceswithelectricpowercapacityof705mVAthatwerecapableofproducing1.164mt/yrofhigh-carbonferrochromium.indiamayimproveitsferrochromiumproductivitybymovingtohigherelectricalcapacityfurnaces,employingautomatedfurnacecontrol,changingfromopentoclosedfurnaces,bettercontrollingmoistureinfeedmaterials,andincreasinguseofagglomeratedfeedmaterials.
indiareportedthat17minescollectivelyproduced3,422,880tofchromiteoreinfiscalyear2005-06(April1,2005,throughmarch31,2006)comparedwith3,621,394tfrom19minesinfiscalyear2004-05,fromachromiteorerecoverablereserveof97.076mt(indianBureauofmines,2006).indiareportedchromiteoreexportsof692,673tinfiscalyear2005-06;1,116,644tinfiscalyear2004-05,and745,119tinfiscalyear2003-04.
indiareportedchromiteoreimportsof5,100tinfiscalyear2005-06;2,521tinfiscalyear2004-05.indiareportedferrochromiumproductionof662,297tinfiscalyear2005-06;594,994tinfiscalyear2004-05;and525,824tin2003-04;andconsumptionof38,300tinfiscalyear2004-05.indiareportedferrochromiumexportsof255,997tinfiscalyear2005-06;167,066tinfiscalyear2004-05.indiareportedferrochromiumimportsof11,182tinfiscalyear2005-06;11,677tinfiscalyear2004-05(indianBureauofmines,2007a,b).Basedonthechromiteoreproductionandchromiteoreandferrochromiumtradereportedabove,indianchromiumapparentconsumptioninfiscalyear2005-06was689,000t;ascomparedwith669,000tinfiscalyear2004-05.
JindalStainlessltd.,astainlesssteelandferrochromiumproducer,expandeditsannualstainlesssteelandferrochromiumproductioncapacity.JindalproducedferrochromiumatVizaganddevelopedagreenfieldoperationinorissaStatetoproduceferrochromiumandstainlesssteel.TheVizagplanthadahigh-carbonferrochromiumproductioncapacityof40,000t/yr.Theorissaplantstartedoperationwithanannualferrochromiumproductioncapacityof80,000t/yr,andplannedtostartasecond80,000-t/yrfurnacein2006.Anew500-megawatt(mW)-captivepowerplantwasplannedfortheorissaplanttoaccommodatehigh-carbonferrochromiumproductionof250,000t/yrandstainlesssteelproductionof1.6mt/yr.
imFAGroup(comprisingindianChargeChromeltd.,anexport-orientedproducer,andindianmetalsandFerroalloys)adomestic-orientedproducer,isintegratedfromchromiteoreminingthroughferrochromiumproduction,includingthermoelectricpowergeneration.imFAcompletedinstallationofa27-mVAfurnacewithferrochromiumproductioncapacityof35,000t/yratitsChoudwar,orissaState,plantatacostofabout$11millionbringingitsinstalledelectricalcapacityto157mVA.imFAplannedtoaddtwomorefurnaces,onewithelectricalcapacityof27mVAandonewith48mVA,anda120-mWpowerplant.imFAreportedfiscalyear2004-05chromiteoreproductionof252,189t.Tosupplyitsexport-orientedferrochromiumproduction,imFAplannedtoopencaptivechromiteminesinmahagiri,orissaState,whenenvironmentalpermitsareissued(metal-Pages,2006b).
Chromium—2006 17.5
karthikAlloyslimitedproducedhigh-carbonferrochromiumfromaplantwithcapacityof10,700t/yratDurgapur,WestBengalState,asfeedtolocalsteelplants(harman,2007).
rawmetFerrousindustriesPvt.ltd.operatedaferrochromiumplantnearCuttack,orissaState,comprisedoftwosemiclosedfurnaceswithelectricalpowercapacityof16.5mVAeach.rawmethadaferrochromiumproductioncapacityof50,000t/yr(harman,2007).
rohitFerro-Techlimitedproducedhigh-carbonferrochromiumfromfoursubmergedarcfurnaceswithelectricalpowerratingof9mVAeach.TheBishnupur,WestBengalState,planthadaproductioncapacityof55,000t/yr.rohitalsoproducedhigh-carbonferrochromiumatkalinganagarindustrialComplex,JajpurDistrict,orissaState,withaproductioncapacityof110,000t/yr.rohitoperatedfourfurnacesatkalinganagarratedat16.5mVAeachandproducedotherferroalloys(harman,2007).
NavaBharatFerroAlloyslimitedproducedferrochromiumfromtwoelectricarcfurnaceswithelectricalcapacityof22.5mVAatkharagprasadvillage,DhenkanalDistrict,orissaState.NavaBharat’sferrochromiumproductioncapacitywas75,000t/yr.NavaBharatplannedtobuilda64-mW,coal-fired,powerplantinorissa(harman,2007).
TataSteelltd.operatedtwoferrochromiumplantsinorissaState,oneatBamnipalandtheotheratJoda.TataplannedtoincreaseproductionatBamnipalto110,000t/yrofferrochromium.TataalsoplannedtobuildacaptivepowerplantandaferroalloyplantinSouthAfrica,whereitcouldsmeltindianchromiteore.
Japan.—Japanproducedchromiumchemicalsandmetal,ferrochromium,andstainlesssteel.Japanhadtheworld’sleadingnationalstainlesssteelproductioncapacity.
Kazakhstan.—kazakhstan,theworld’ssecondrankedchromiteoreproducer,producedchromiteore,chromiumchemicals,chromiummetal,andferrochromium.ChromiteorewasproducedatDonskoymine,Aqtobeoblysy;ferrochromiumatAksu,Pavlodaroblysy,andAktobe,Aqtobeoblysy;andchromiummetalatAktobe.
TNCkazchromeJSCmadealong-termagreementtosupplyferrochromiumtoTaiyuanironandSteelCo.(China)(ryan’sNotes,2006b).
orielresourcesplc(unitedkingdom)startedtodeveloptheVoskhodchromitedeposit(50°18′N,58°30′E),khromtauDistrict,Aqtobeoblysy.orielestimatedminedevelopmentcostat$131million.orielupgradedroad,rail,andpowersupplytotheVoskhoddepositwhilestartingconstructionofanaccessramp.orielplannedtostartchromiteoreproductionin2008withaproductioncapacityof900,000t/yr(1.3mt/yrrun-of-mine).orielplannedtomineoregrading48%Cr
2o
3andto
beneficiateitattheminesitetoamarketableproductgrading57%Cr
2o
3.orielacquiredalicensetominethekaraagash
depositadjacenttoVoskhod.karaagashheld7.8mtofchromiteoreclassifiedC2andP1intherussianresourceclassificationsystem.TheVoskhoddepositisoneofabout80depositsinthekempirsaimassifdiscoveredsince1936andisadjacenttoDonskoiGok,anestablishedchromiteminingoperationownedbyJSCkazchrome.Voskhodisonelargelensofmassivetodisseminatedchromitethatliesatadepthoffrom98meters
(m)to450mwithanortheasterlydipofabout28degreesintheeasternzoneofthemainkempirsaimassif.run-of-mineproductionwillbebeneficiatedattheminesitebycrushingandgravityseparationusingspiralcircuitsforfinematerialanddensemediaseparationforcoarsermaterial.inaccordancewithCanadianinstituteofmining,metallurgyandPetroleum(Cim)standardsonmineralresourcesandreserves,orielestimatedtheVoskhoddepositresourcesat19.5mtofindicatedresourcesat48.5%Cr
2o
3;1.6mtofinferredresourcesat41%Cr
2o
3;and
probablereservesof18.3mtat40.3%Cr2o
3wherethecutoff
gradewas20%Cr2o
3(orielresourcesplc,2006a,b).
Oman.—GulfminingandmaterialsCompany(Gmm)startedproductionofrefractorygradechromiteoreinWadimahramafterwhichGmmaddedseveralmorechromitemines.Gmm’sorecontainsfrom34%to42%Cr
2o
3.Gmmenteredintoajoint-
ventureagreementwithaSaudiArabiancompanyunderwhichGmmwouldoperateminesownedbytheSaudicompany.TheSaudioregradewas50%Cr
2o
3(Gulfminingandmaterials
Company,2007).Russia.—russiaproducedchromiteore,chromiumchemical,
ferroalloys,andmetal.orielresourcesplcwasconstructingferrochromium
smelteratTikhvin(59°38′N,33°31′E),TikhvinskyDistrict,leningradoblast.Productionwasexpectedtostartin2007usingchromiteorefromTurkeyandthenfromoriel’splannedmineinkazakhastan.Theplantwastohousefour15.8-mWfurnacesinstalledintwophases.uponcompletion,theplantwastohaveaproductioncapacityof148,000t/yrofhigh-carbonferrochromiumcontaining70.8%chromium,whichwastobeincreasedto180,000t/yrby2011.Chromiumrecoverywasestimatedtobe87%(orielresourcesplc,2006b).
kongor-khromoJSCpurchasedexplorationandminingrightstochromiteoreintheyengaiskoyefield,PriuralskyDistrict,yamalo-NenetsAutonomousregion.kongor-khromisownedprimarilybyChelyabinskmetallurgicalCombineJointStockCo.,aferrochromiumproducer.kongor-khrommined1.4mtofchromiteorefromtheTsentralnoyedeposit,rayizmountains,yamalo-NenetsAutonomousregion,anincreasefrom800,000tin2005.Thechromiteoregradedabout40%Cr
2o
3with
chromium-to-ironratioof3:1.Provenreserveswereestimatedtobe6mt;resources,about100mt(lundman,2006).ChelyabinskElectrometallurgicalCombineproducedhigh-,medium-,andlow-carbonferrochromiumandferrosiliconchromiumfromchromiteoreobtainedfromkharp,yamalo-NenetsAutonomousregion(interfax,2006;metalsPlace,2006).
russianChrome1915JSC,formerlykhrompikCompany,Ekaterinburg,Sverdlovskoblast,wasrussia’sleadingchromiumchemicalproducer.russianChromecouldproduceabout30,000t/yrofchromiumchemicals.russianChromewasownedone-halfbykermasGroup(unitedkingdom)andone-halfbyluigiStoppaniCompany(italy).klyuchevskyFerroalloyPlantbecamethenewmajorityownerofrussianChrome,whichsupplieschromicoxidetoklyuchevsky.kluchevskyFerroalloyPlant,Sverdlovskoblast,producedchromiumferroalloysandaluminothermicchromiummetal.russianChromeprovidedabout4,800t/yrofchromiumoxidetoklyuchevsk(kommersantDaily,2006;metal-Pages,2006a).
17.6 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
South Africa.—SouthAfricaproduceschromiteore,chromiumchemicals,ferrochromium,andstainlesssteel.
Theferrochromiumindustryhasbeenincreasingatabout5%peryear.Thatisequivalenttobetweentwoandthreenewfurnacesperyear.NationalissuescurrentlyfacingSouthAfricaincludeenvironmentalconcernsoverchromiumemissionsanddustgeneration,adequacyofelectricalpowersupply,shippingfacilities,andtransportationfacilities.Blackempowermentlegislationrequires26%ownershipbyformerlyunderrepresentedgroupsby2014.BlackempowermentandthesaleofSamancorresultedinownershiprealignmentsamongchromiteoreandferrochromiumproducerswhileanticipateddemandincreasesresultedinnewchromiteoremines,ferrochromiumfurnacerenovation,andnewfurnacesthatincreasedproductioncapacityanddecreasedpollution.
ThemineralsBureaureportedthatin2005SouthAfricaproduced7.494mtofchromiteorefromwhichitproduced2.812mtofchromiumferroalloys.SouthAfricaexported0.657mtofchromiteoreand2.460mtofferrochromium(masetlana,2006).Basedonchromiteoreproductionandchromiteoreandferrochromiumtrade,SouthAfricanchromiumapparentconsumptionwas705,000t.SouthAfricandomesticutilizationofchromiteoreincreasedfromabout75%in1994to93%in2003and2004;however,utilizationdecreasedto91%in2005asaresultofchromiteoreexporttoChina.
SamancorChrome[awhollyownedsubsidiaryofkermasSouthAfrica(Pty.)ltd.(kermasSA)],whichisownedbykermasltd.(BritishVirginislands),operatedchromiteoreminesandferrochromiumsmelters.kermaswasaverticallyandhorizontallyintegratedchromiummaterialsproducer.kermasownedSerovFerroalloysandChrome1915,achromiumchemicalproducerinrussia,ElectrowerkWeisweiller(EWW)inGermany,andchromiteminesinTurkey.EWWandSerovproducedlow-carbonferrochromium.SamancorChromecomprisedfivebusinessunits—EasternChromeminesandWesternChromemines,producingchromiteore;andFerrometals,middelburgFerrochrome,andTubatseFerrochrome,producingferrochromium.Samancorhadjoint-ventureswithstainlesssteelproducersNipponDenko(Japan),Nishin(Japan),andPoSCo(korea).internationalmineralresourcesAG(Switzerland)(imr)purchased32.5%ofkermasSA.imrcontrolsEurasianNaturalresourcesCorporation(ENrC),whichownskazchrome,achromiteoreminingandferrochromiumproducingcompanyinkazakhstan.SamancorandSinosteelagreedtoformTubatseChromejoint-ventureinwhichSinosteelpurchased50%interestinthefiveTubatseFerrochromefurnacesownedbySamancorfor$200millionandtheTweefonteinchromiteoreminefor$250million.TheagreementenhancesSinosteel’sverticalintegrationfromchromiteoreproductionthroughferrochromiumproduction(inSouthAfrica)throughstainlesssteelproduction(inChina).Sinosteelowneda70%interestinASAmetals,aSouthAfricanchromiteoreandferrochromiumproducer(CompetitionTribunalofSouthAfrica,2006;TEXreport,2006b).
internationalFerrometalsltd.(iFm),anAustraliancompanyformerlyknownasTransvaalFerroalloysoperatedthelesedichromiteminenearBuffelsfontein,NorthWestProvince,onthewesternlimboftheBushveldComplexandacquiredan80%interestintheSkychromedeposit(Turner,2006).iFmextracted
chromiteorefromthemG1andmG2seamsbyundergroundminingandplannedtostartferrochromiumproductionin2007.iFmbeganconstructionona267,400-t/yr-capacityferrochromiumplantcomprisedoftwo66-mVAfurnacesthatweretobeoperatedonaboutone-thirdlumpychromiteandtwo-thirdspelletizedchromite.Theferrochromiumwouldsupplyagrowingworldstainlesssteeldemand.iFmestimateditscapitalexpenditureat$1,360permetrictonofchromiumcontainedinproductioncapacity($/t-CrinFeCr)comparedwitharangeof$830to$1,700$/t-CrinFeCrforoperationscurrentlybeingconstructed.iFmestimatedthatChinaaccountedfor16%offerrochromiumconsumptionin2005andprojectedthatChinawouldaccountfor27%in2015.iFmholdssharesinJiuquaniron&Steel(Group)Co.,ltd.(JiSCo),aChinesestainlesssteelproducer;andJiSCoguaranteedtotakeabout120,000t/yrofferrochromiumfromiFm.
iFmdesigneditsplanttoaccommodatedoublingofproductioncapacityafter2009.iFmcontractedPyrometTechnologies(Pty.)ltd.(Johannesburg)todesignandconstructthesmelterandbeneficiationplant,outokumpu(Finland)andBatemanEngineeringN.V.(SouthAfrica)todesignandconstructthepelletisingandsinteringplant,andSEDGmANlimited(Australia)todominedevelopmentandoperation.
ASAmetals(Pty.)ltd.(ASA),70%ownedbySinosteel,producedchromiteoreandferrochromiumatBurgersfort,NorthWestProvince.ASA’schromiteorerun-of-mineproductioncapacitywas420,000t/yrandferrochromiumproductioncapacitywas120,000t/yr.ASAplannedtobuildtwoclosedfurnacesandapelletizingplantby2009thatwouldadd240,000t/yrferrochromiumproductioncapacityandtorecoveranother40,000t/yryieldingatotalferrochromiumproductioncapacityof400,000t/yr.ASAalsoplannedtoincreaseitschromiteoreproductioncapacityto650,000t/yrin2007and,byaddingnewmines,another600,000to700,000t/yrofchromiteoreproductioncapacityby2011(TEXreport,2006a).
ColumbusStainless(Pty.)ltd.producedstainlesssteelinmiddelburg,mpumalangaProvince.Columbusreportedmelt-shopproductionwas727,132tin2006comparedwith564,877tin2005,and718,094tin2004.Columbusmeltingcapacityexceeded1mtin2006(Acerinox,2006,p.12,p.105-107;2007,p.12-13,p.104-107).
Feralloyslimited(ownedbyAssmangltd.)producedchromiteoreattheDwarsriviermineandferrochromiumatthemachadodorpplant.Assmangreportedselling210,000tofferrochromiuminfiscalyear2006(July1,2005,throughJune30,2006)comparedwith262,000tinfiscalyear2005and178,000tofchromiteoreinfiscalyear2006comparedwith35,000tinfiscalyear2005(Assmanglimited,2006,p.5).
TataironandSteelCo.,ltd.(india)startedconstructionofaferrochromiumplantatrichardsBay,kwazulu-Natal,aportcityremovedfromtheSouthAfrica’schromitemines.Tataplannedtouseoutokumpopelletizingandpreheatingtechnologytoproduceferrochromiumfromchromiteoreimportedfromitsminesinindia.Tata’splantwasplannedtohaveanannualferrochromiumproductioncapacityof270,000tfromtwofurnaces(TEXreport,2006d).
hernic(Pty.)ltd.producedchromiteoreandferrochromiumatBrits,NorthWestProvince,withaferrochromiumproduction
Chromium—2006 17.7
capacityof420,000t/yrandachromiteoreproductioncapacityof500,000t/yratitsBokfonteinmine.hernicplannedtoaddanundergroundmineshaftatBokfonteintoincreaseitsproductioncapacityto1mt/yr.hernicacquiredBlackEconomicEmpowerment(BEE)partners,asrequiredbylaw,byselling15%ofhernictoBEEpartners.
XstrataS.A.(Pty.)ltd.reportedoperatingsevenchromiteoreminesandfourferrochromiumplants.Xstrata’schromiteoreminesandcapacitieswere—Boshoekopencastmine,Boshoek,NorthWestProvince,360,000t/yr;ChromeEdenmine,Pilansberg,NorthWestProvince,96,000t/yr;horizonmine,Pilansberg,NorthWestProvince,180,000t/yr;kroondalmine,rustenburg,NorthWestProvince,1,920,000t/yr;kroondalopencastmine,rustenburg,NorthWestProvince,96,000t/yr;Thorncliffemine,Steelpoort,mpumalangaProvince,1,440,000t/yr;andWatervalmine,rustenburg,NorthWestProvince,480,000t/yr.Xstrata’sferrochromiumplantsandcapacitieswere—BoshoekPlant,Boshoek,NorthWestProvince,240,000t/yr;lydenburgPlant,lydenburg,mpumalangaProvince,396,000t/yr;rustenburgPlant,rustenburg,NorthWestProvince,430,000t/yr;andWonderkopPlant,marikana,NorthWestProvince,553,000t/yr.Xstratacompletedtheprereductionkilnsatitsnewsmelter,thelionProject,andplannedtostartferrochromiumproductionin2007withproductioncapacityof360,000t/yrfromtwo63-mVAfurnacesbasedonPremustechnologydevelopedbyXstrataatitslydenburgPlant.Thehelenamine,whichwillsupplythenewsmelter,startedproduction.Xstratacontinuedajoint-ventureagreementwithAngloAmericanPlatinumCorpltd.,themototoloproject,toproducebyproductchromitetailingsfromtheBushwelduG2seam,whichtheagglomerationplantatWonderkopwouldpelletize(Xstrata,2006,p.41-2.).
ChromexminingPlcundertookthemecklenburgprojecttominechromiteorefromthelG-6andlG-6areefsonthewesternlimboftheBushveldComplex,mecklenburgFarm,limpopoProvince.ChromexreportedchromiteoreresourcescompliantwithSouthAfricanmineralreserveandresourceEstimatingCode(SAmrEC)tobe9.42mtinsituresourcesofwhich7.15mtareindicatedand2.27mtareinferred(ChromexminingPlc,2006,p.12-15,24-64).
ChromeinternationalSouthAfrica(CiSA)isaverticallyintegratedcompanyfromchromiteoreminingattherustenburgminethroughsodiumdichromateproductionatNewcastle,andchromiumsulfateleathertanningchemicalsatmerebank.lanxessCorporation(Germany)purchasedtheremaining50%ofCiSAthatitdidnotalreadyholdfromSentrachem,whichisasubsidiaryofDowChemicalCompany(unitedStates)(lanxessCorporation,2006).
Africanrainbowmineralsltd.(Arm)reportedthatNkomatimine,mpumalangaProvince,whichhostscobalt,copper,nickel,andplatinumgroupmetals(PGm),startedproductionofchromiteore.Armplannedtoproduceabout720,000t/yrofchromiteoreforsmeltingatAssmang’smachadodorpsmelterforexport.Armplannedtocrushandscreentheoretogetasalableproductof38%Cr
2o
3withachromiumiron
ratioof1.65:1.ArmreportedchromiteoreproductionfromtheDwarsrivierminebyfiscalyear(July1toJune30)tohavebeen—0.7mt,2001-02;0.85mt,2002-03;0.96mt,2003-04;
0.92mt,2004-05;and0.82mt,2005-06(Africanrainbowminerals,2006a,p.67-69;2006b).
rhiGroup(Austria),aninternationalrefractorymanufacturinggroup,plannedtoaddmagnesia-andchromite-containingrefractoryproductionfacilitiesatisithebe,kwazulu-Natal.rhiplannedtousechromitefromSamancorandmagnesitefromChinatoproducerefractoriesforChina’ssteelindustry(Creamer,2006).
SylvaniaresourceslimitedcontractedwithSamancortobuildchromewashingplantsandPGmextractionplantstoproducechromiteandPGmsfrom7mtoftailingsfrom13minesonthewesternlimboftheBushveldcomplex.Thefirstchromewashingplantwascompletedatmillsell.PlantswereplannedtobebuiltnextatSteelpoortandElandsdrift.Thechromewashingplantswereexpectedtoproducebetween90,000t/yrand120,000t/yrofchromiteorefrom360,000t/yroftailings.SylvaniaalsoproducedPGmsfromtailingsatitsChromeTailingsretreatmentProject,makingPGmsabyproductofchromiteoremining(Sylvaniaresourceslimited,2006).
Spain.—AcerinoxproducedstainlesssteelintheCampodeGibraltarplant,CadizProvince.Acerinoxreportedmeltshopproductiontohavebeenabout1,011,642tin2006comparedwith909,101tin2005,and920,736tin2004(Acerinox,2006,p.12,p.105-107;2007,p.12-13,p.104-107).
Turkey.—Turkeyproducedchromiteore,chromiumchemicals,andferrochromium.
TheistanbulmineralExporters’Association(imEA)reportedthattheTurkeyandmediterraneanAlpineophioliticbeltscoincided.Therearemorethan1,000chromitedepositsandoutcrops,typicallyofhighchromium-to-ironratioandappropriateformetallurgicalandrefractoryindustryuse.refractorygradechromitechemicalcompositionwas50%to54%Cr
2o
3,12%to15%Al
2o
3withachromium-to-ironratio
of3.1:1to3.3:1,whilemetallurgicalchromitecontained36%to54%Cr
2o
3and11%to14%Al
2o
3withachromium-to-iron
ratioof2.2:1to3.2:1.imEAestimatedTurkishchromiteoreresourcesat30mtofprovenreserves(excluding145mtofmaterialgradedat5%to6%Cr
2o
3),60mtofprobablereserves,
and120mtofpossiblereserves(nospecifiedgrade).SincechromitewasdiscoveredinnorthwesternTurkeybylawrenceSmithin1848,Turkeyhasproduced50mtofchromiteore(Çağlayan,2006).Currentproductioncapacitywasabout1.5mtwiththeexpectationofexpandingto1.8to2.0mtby2010tomeetdemandfromChinaandrussia.
Outlook
TheoutlookforchromiumconsumptionintheunitedStatesandtherestoftheworldisaboutthesameasthatforstainlesssteel,whichistheleadingenduseforchromiumworldwide.Thus,stainlesssteelindustryperformancelargelydeterminestheperformanceofthechromiumindustryintheunitedStatesandworldwide.in2006,Chinaandindiawereintheprocessofeconomicexpansionthatresultedindemandgrowthforchromiumfortheproductionofstainlesssteelneededtosupportthoseeconomicexpansions.
17.8 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
ThepracticeofsupplyingchromiumintheformofferrochromiumbycountriesthatminechromiteorewassomewhatinterruptedasChinabecameamajorconsumerofchromiteore;however,thepracticewasexpectedtocontinueeventually.Therisingcostofferrochromiumsustainedindependentferrochromiumproducers;however,otherfactorsbeingequal,ferrochromiumproductionismostcosteffectivewhentheferrochromiumplantisclosetothechromitemine.Withnewefficientandreliableferrochromiumproductionfacilitiesinchromite-ore-producingcountries,ferrochromiumcapacityandproductionareexpectedtodiminishincountrieswithmarket-driveneconomiesthatproduceferrochromiumwithoutnearbychromiteoreresources.otherfactorsofproduction,suchaselectricalenergyorlaborcostsmayoffsetchromiteoretransportationcosts.Furtherverticalintegrationofthechromiumindustryisexpectedascountriesthatproducechromiteoreexpandferrochromiumorstainlesssteelproductioncapacity.
Chromite Ore.—Chromiteoreproductioncapacityisinbalancewithaverageconsumption.Toimprovechromiteoreavailabilityandtostabilizefeedmaterialprice,ferrochromiumproducersinvestinminesthatproducechromiteore.indeed,mostchromiteoreisproducedunderverticallyintegratedmine-smelterormine-plantownership.Asplatinumminingmovestochromite-bearingseams,agreaterportionofchromiteislikelytobesuppliedasbyproductfromsuchoperations.inaddition,platinummaybecomeabyproductofsomechromiteoperations.
Ferrochromium.—Ferrochromiumproductioniselectricalenergyintensive.Charge-gradeferrochromiumrequiresbetween2,900and4,100kilowatthoursofelectricalenergypermetrictonofproduct,withefficiencyvaryingbyoregrade,operatingconditions,andproductionprocess.Thus,ferrochromiumplantlocationwillreflectacostbalancebetweenrawmaterialsandelectricalenergysupply.
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u.S.Departmentoflabor,occupationalSafetyandhealthAdministration,2006,occupationalexposuretohexavalentchromium—Finalrule:Federalregister,v.71,no.39,February28,p.10099-10385.(AccessedJanuary18,2008,athttp://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=federal_register&p_id=18599.)
u.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,2006,Fiscalyear2006performanceandaccountabilityreport:u.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,
328p.(AccessedJanuary21,2007,athttp://www.epa.gov/ocfo/par/2006par/par06report.pdf.)
Xstrata,2006,Xstratainterimreport2006:Switzerland,Xstrata,72p.(AccessedFebruary2006,athttp://www.xstrata.com/assets/pdf/xta-ir2006_en.pdf.)
GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
U.S. Geological Survey Publications
Chromium.Ch.inmineralCommoditySummaries,annual.Chromium.Ch.inunitedStatesmineralresources,
ProfessionalPaper820,1973.Chromium.internationalStrategicmineralsinventorySummary
report,Circular930-B,1984.Chromium.mineralindustrySurveys,monthly.
Other
Chromite.Ch.inindustrialmineralsandrocks(7thed.)Societyformining,metallurgy,andExploration,inc.,2006.
17.10 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006World, production, contained chromium:
Chromite ore (mine)2 metric tons 4,510,000 r 4,740,000 r 5,460,000 r 5,940,000 r 5,850,000
Ferrochromium (smelter)3 do. 2,880,000 3,460,000 3,760,000 r 3,740,000 3,990,000
Stainless steel4 do. 3,480,000 3,860,000 4,180,000 4,130,000 4,080,000U.S. supply:
Components of U.S. supply, contained chromium:Domestic mines do. -- -- -- -- --Secondary do. 174,000 r 180,000 r 177,000 r 174,000 r 179,000Imports:
Chromite ore do. 35,300 55,300 49,500 52,900 53,800Chromium chemicals do. 17,400 10,300 6,040 11,400 12,100Chromium ferroalloys do. 203,000 243,000 261,000 278,000 265,000Chromium metal do. 7,430 8,570 9,630 11,000 10,900Stainless steel mill products & scrap do. 142,000 124,000 163,000 150,000 179,000
Stocks, January 1:Government do. 706,000 643,000 560,000 466,000 375,000
Industry5 do. 16,700 8,390 9,870 7,900 8,600Total do. 1,300,000 1,270,000 1,240,000 r 1,150,000 r 1,080,000
Distribution of U.S. supply, contained chromium:Exports:
Chromite ore do. 7,680 32,800 14,000 13,700 17,400Chromium chemicals do. 10,500 9,710 14,500 18,900 16,700Chromium ferroalloys and metal do. 10,800 3,770 6,250 24,700 22,300Stainless steel mill products & scrap do. 105,000 141,000 136,000 162,000 156,000
Stocks, December 31:Government do. 643,000 560,000 466,000 375,000 272,000
Industry5 do. 8,390 9,870 7,900 8,600 9,640Total do. 785,000 758,000 645,000 603,000 494,000
Production, reported:6
Chromium ferroalloy and metal net production:Gross weight do. W W W W WChromium content do. W W W W W
Net shipments, contained chromium do. W W W W WConsumption:
Apparent, contained chromium do. 516,000 r 514,000 r 591,000 r 548,000 r 589,000Reported:
Chromite ore and concentrates, gross weight do. W W W W WChromite ore, average Cr2O3 percent 45.4 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0
Chromium ferroalloys:7
Gross weight metric tons 407,000 411,000 449,000 431,000 429,000Contained chromium do. 236,000 240,000 262,000 250,000 252,000
Chromium metal, gross weight do. 5,080 5,140 5,690 7,280 6,210Stocks, December 31, gross weight:
Government:Chromite ore do. 339,000 235,000 135,000 73,400 1,160Chromium ferroalloys do. 767,000 691,000 595,000 492,000 373,000Chromium metal do. 7,220 7,120 6,670 6,190 5,290
Industry:Producer8 do. W W W W WConsumer:
Chromite ore9 do. W W W W W
Chromium ferroalloys10 do. 13,700 16,300 13,000 14,200 15,900Chromium metal do. 230 242 182 228 194
Prices, average annual:Ferrochromium, chromium content11 dollars per pound $0.317 $0.433 $0.690 $0.684 $0.695
Electrolytic chromium metal, gross weight12 dollars per pound $4.50 $4.50 $4.50 $4.50 $4.50
Aluminothermic chromium metal, gross weight13 do. $2.08 $1.84 $2.27 $2.72 $2.94
Value of trade:14
Exports, contained chromium thousands $67,600 $58,400 $80,700 $116,000 $121,000Imports, contained chromium do. $256,000 $322,000 $477,000 $583,000 $529,000
Net exports, contained chromium15 do. -$188,000 -$264,000 -$397,000 -$468,000 -$408,000See footnotes at end of table.
TABLE 1SALIENT CHROMIUM STATISTICS1
Chromium—2006 17.11
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006Stainless steel:
Production:Gross weight16 metric tons 2,190,000 2,220,000 2,400,000 2,240,000 2,460,000
Contained chromium17 do. 369,000 373,000 407,000 373,000 419,000
Average grade, dimensionless18 0.1687 0.1683 0.1697 0.1667 0.1705
Shipments, gross weight19 metric tons 1,720,000 1,790,000 1,880,000 1,730,000 1,890,000Exports, gross weight do. 273,000 327,000 323,000 371,000 410,000Imports, gross weight do. 752,000 639,000 811,000 770,000 872,000Scrap, gross weight:
Receipts do. 1,020,000 1,060,000 1,040,000 r 1,030,000 r 1,050,000Consumption do. 1,380,000 1,430,000 1,480,000 r 1,480,000 r 1,500,000Exports do. 342,000 505,000 478,000 585,000 506,000Imports do. 81,000 89,200 146,000 111,000 180,000
Value of trade:Exports thousands $742,000 $895,000 $1,030,000 $1,340,000 $1,580,000Imports do. $1,350,000 $1,320,000 $2,230,000 $2,630,000 $3,210,000Scrap exports do. $252,000 $382,000 $548,000 $670,000 $716,000Scrap imports do. $49,400 $70,200 $160,000 $124,000 $209,000
Net exports15, 20 do. -$405,000 -$115,000 -$809,000 -$744,000 -$1,130,000
19Source: American Iron and Steel Institute annual report of stainless and heat-resisting raw steel shipments.20Includes stainless steel and stainless steel scrap.
TABLE 1—ConitnuedSALIENT CHROMIUM STATISTICS1
17Estimated mass-weighted average of the mean chromium content of stainless steel production by grade. Uncertainty is approximatly ± 0.01 owingto the range of chromium chemical specification limits by stainless steel grade.18Ratio of estimated mass-weighted average chromium content of stainless steel production by grade to production. Expressed as a fraction.Source: American Iron and Steel Institute quarterly reports of stainless and heat-resisting raw steel production by grade.
13Time-weighted average U.S. price of imported aluminothermic chromium metal as reported by Ryan's Notes.14Includes chromite ore and chromium ferroalloys, metal, and chemicals.15Negative data indicate that imports are greater than exports.16Source: American Iron and Steel Institute annual report of stainless and heat-resisting raw steel production and shipments.
9Chemical, chromium ferroalloy and metal, and refractory producer stocks of chromite ore.10Consumer stocks of chromium ferroalloys, chromite ore, and other chromium-containing materials excluding chromium metal.11Time-weighted average U.S. price of imported high-carbon chromium that contains 50% to 55% chromium as reported in Platts Metals Week.12Time-weighted average U.S. price of domestically produced electrolytic chromium metal as reported by Ryan's Notes.
5Includes consumer stocks of chromium ferroalloys and metal and other chromium-containing materials.6Includes chromium ferroalloys and metal and other chromium materials in the United States.7Chromium ferroalloy, chromite ore, and other chromium-containing materials excluding chromium metal.8Chromium ferroalloy and metal producer stocks of chromium ferroalloys and metal.
1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.2Calculated assuming chromite ore to average 44% Cr2O3, which is 68.42% chromium.3Calculated assuming chromium content of ferrochromium to average 57% chromium.4Calculated assuming chromium content of stainless steel to average 16.7% chromium.
rRevised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. -- Zero.
17.12 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
Gross Chromium Gross Chromiumweight content weight content Quantity Percentage
Consumption by end use:Alloy uses:
Iron alloys, steel:Carbon steel 6,460 3,870 6,060 3,660 -397 -6High-strength low-alloy steel 9,370 5,000 9,610 5,220 239 3Stainless and heat-resisting steel 355,000 205,000 351,000 205,000 -3,770 -1Full alloy steel 20,900 12,000 21,400 12,800 452 2Tool steel 5,360 3,250 5,020 3,030 -340 -6
Superalloys 16,200 12,600 16,400 12,600 187 1
Other alloys3 21,700 12,600 21,400 12,600 -270 -1Other uses not reported above 3,400 2,240 4,400 2,800 1,010 30
Total 439,000 257,000 436,000 258,000 -2,890 -1Consumption by material:
Low-carbon ferrochromium 36,200 24,500 36,600 25,000 431 1High-carbon ferrochromium 354,000 209,000 351,000 210,000 -2,720 -1Ferrochromium silicon 35,700 13,900 36,500 14,300 818 2Chromium metal 7,280 7,630 r 6,210 6,200 -1,070 -15Chromite ore 4,010 1,280 3,960 1,290 -48 -1Chromium-aluminum alloy 549 380 484 372 -65 -12Other chromium materials 659 267 421 212 -240 -36
Total 439,000 257,000 436,000 258,000 -2,900 -1Consumer stocks:
Low-carbon ferrochromium 2,170 1,470 2,140 1,460 -29 -1High-carbon ferrochromium 10,700 6,300 12,400 7,440 1,760 17Ferrochromium silicon 1,170 456 1,150 451 -21 -2Chromium metal 228 228 194 194 -34 -15Chromite ore 110 35 69 22 -41 -37Chromium-aluminum alloy 120 83 102 78 -18 -15Other chromium materials 75 31 66 -- -9 -12
Total 14,500 8,600 16,100 9,640 1,610 11
National Defense Stockpile stocks:4
Chromite ore:5
Chemical6 3,590 1,030 -- -- -3,590 -100
Refractory7 69,800 16,700 1,160 276 -68,700 -98
Chromium ferroalloys:8
High-carbon ferrochromium9 319,000 228,000 247,000 176,000 -72,200 -23
Low-carbon ferrochromium9 173,000 123,000 126,000 89,800 -46,700 -27
Chromium metal10 6,190 6,190 5,290 5,290 -910 -15
10Chromium content estimated using 100% chromium.
2005
6Chromium content estimated using 28.6% chromium.7Chromium content estimated using 23.9% chromium.8Ferrochromium silicon was used up in 2002.9Chromium content estimated using 71.4% chromium.
3Includes cast irons, welding and alloy hard-facing rods and materials, wear- and corrosion-resistant alloys, and aluminum, copper, magnetic, nickel, and other alloys.4The source for stockpile materials is the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense National Stockpile Center.5Metallurgical grade chromite ore was used up in 2002.
Change2
rRevised. -- Zero.1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.2Change based on gross weight quantity of current year compared with that of previous year.
2006
TABLE 2U.S. REPORTED CONSUMPTION AND STOCKS OF CHROMIUM PRODUCTS1
(Metric tons)
Chromium—2006 17.13
Contained Gross Contained Grosschromium weight chromium weight
Value:2, 3
Chromite ore:Not more than 40% chromic oxide dollars per metric ton 2,270 475 624 158More than 40% but less than 46% chromic oxide do. 257 81 564 17746% or more chromic oxide do. 476 153 434 141
Average do. 437 140 437 141Ferrochromium:
Not more than 3% carbon:Not more than 0.5% carbon do. 2,340 1,590 2,490 1,710More than 0.5% but not more than 3% carbon do. 1,890 1,230 1,570 1,220
Average (less than 0.5% but not more than 3%) do. 2,310 1,560 2,490 1,710More than 3% but not more than 4% carbon do. (4) (4) (5) (5)More than 4% carbon do. 1,310 762 1,190 694
Average (all grades) do. 1,430 846 1,290 762Chromium metal do. XX 8,010 XX 8,180
Price:6
High-carbon ferrochromium:7
50% to 55% chromium cents per pound 68.40 XX 69.54 XX60% to 65% chromium do. 67.32 XX 63.32 XX
Low-carbon ferrochromium:7
0.05% carbon do. 118 XX 116 XX0.10% carbon do. 104 XX 100 XX0.15% carbon do. 100 XX 99 XX
Chromium metal:Domestic, electrolytic8 do. XX 450 XX 450Imported:
Aluminothermic8 do. XX 272 XX 294
6Time-weighted average based on prices reported by material in trade journals.7Source: Platts Metals Week.8Source: Ryan's Notes.
2Mass-weighted average based on customs value and weight of imported material.3Reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.4No imports of more that 3% but not more than 4% carbon ferrochromium were reported in 2005.5No imports of more that 3% but not more than 4% carbon ferrochromium were reported in 2006.
Material
XX Not applicable.1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
TABLE 3VALUE OF IMPORTS AND U.S. PRICE QUOTATIONS FOR CHROMIUM MATERIALS1
2005 2006
17.14 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
Qua
ntity
Val
ueQ
uant
ityV
alue
HT
S2 c
ode
Typ
e(k
ilogr
ams)
(tho
usan
ds)
(kilo
gram
s)(t
hous
ands
)Pr
inci
pal d
estin
atio
ns in
200
626
10.0
0.00
00C
hrom
ite o
re a
nd c
once
ntra
te, g
ross
wei
ght
42,6
00,0
00$9
,940
53,9
00,0
00$1
0,20
0C
hina
(47.
7%);
Sw
eden
(40
.8%
); C
anad
a (9
.7%
); M
exic
o (1
.6%
).M
etal
and
allo
ys,g
ross
wei
ght:
8112
.21.
0000
Unw
roug
ht c
hrom
ium
pow
ders
169,
000
2,94
026
2,00
04,
200
Mex
ico
(26.
3%);
Can
ada
(21.
3%);
Jap
an(1
7.4%
); G
erm
any
(11.
2%);
Uni
ted
Kin
gdom
(7.0
%);
Chi
na (
6.3%
); B
razi
l (3.
9%);
Sin
gapo
re(1
.2%
).81
12.2
2.00
00C
hrom
ium
met
al w
aste
and
scr
ap22
7,00
04,
260
208,
000
3,73
0Ja
pan
(89%
); G
erm
any
(6.8
%);
Sin
gapo
re(1
.7%
); T
aiw
an (
1.5%
).81
12.2
9.00
00C
hrom
ium
met
al o
ther
than
unw
roug
htpo
wde
rs a
nd
628,
000
9,68
054
5,00
013
,300
Japa
n(7
6.5%
); T
aiw
an (
5.0%
); S
inga
pore
(4.6
%);
Ger
man
y(2
.0%
);w
aste
and
scr
apU
nite
d K
ingd
om(1
.7%
); C
olum
bia
(1.6
%);
Per
u (1
.2%
); I
srae
l (1.
1%);
Chi
na(1
.0%
).T
otal
chr
omiu
m m
etal
1,02
0,00
016
,900
1,02
0,00
021
,300
Chr
omiu
m f
erro
allo
ys:
7202
.41.
0000
Hig
h-ca
rbon
fer
roch
rom
ium
:3
Gro
ss w
eigh
t30
,700
,000
31,1
0018
,800
,000
15,6
00N
ethe
rlan
ds(6
3.5%
); C
anad
a (1
8.1%
); M
exic
o (1
5.7%
).C
onta
ined
wei
ght
20,1
00,0
00X
X11
,200
,00 0
XX
7202
.49.
0000
Low
-car
bon
ferr
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Gro
ss w
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t5,
460,
000
7,56
016
,600
,000
22,0
00N
ethe
rlan
ds(7
1.3%
); M
exic
o (1
1.2%
); C
anad
a (5
.5%
); T
aiw
an (
3.2%
);C
onta
ined
wei
ght
3,54
0,00
0X
X9,
960,
000
XX
Bra
zil (
1.9%
); R
epub
lic o
f K
orea
(1.
7%);
Uni
ted
Kin
gdom
(1.4
%);
Rom
ania
(1.2
%).
7202
.50.
0000
Ferr
ochr
omiu
m-s
ilico
n:G
ross
wei
ght
147,
000
186
248,
000
480
Mex
ico
(51.
6%);
Can
ada
(38.
3%);
Aus
tral
ia (
7.6%
); C
hile
(1.
5%);
Con
tain
ed w
eigh
t51
,400
XX
96,5
00X
XT
urke
y (1
.0%
).T
otal
chr
omiu
m f
erro
allo
ys:
Gro
ss w
eigh
t36
,300
,000
38,9
0035
,700
,000
38,1
00C
onta
ined
wei
ght
23,7
00,0
00X
X21
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,00 0
XX
Che
mic
als,
gros
s w
eigh
t:C
hrom
ium
oxi
des:
2819
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0000
Chr
omiu
m tr
ioxi
de9,
000,
000
11,0
009,
560,
000
11,8
00U
nite
d K
ingd
om(2
0.2%
); I
ndia
(16
.6%
); B
razi
l (15
.4%
); R
epub
lic o
f K
orea
(7.7
%);
Tai
wan
(5.
5%);
Bel
gium
(3.7
%);
Chi
le (
3.6%
); C
hina
(3.
3%);
Mex
ico
(3.0
%);
Sou
th A
fric
a (2
.8%
); F
ranc
e (2
.7%
); T
haila
nd (
2.1%
);C
olum
bia
(1.7
%);
Ind
ones
ia (
1.7%
); J
apan
(1.7
%);
Pak
ista
n (1
.3%
);G
erm
any
(1.1
%);
Can
ada
(1.0
%).
2819
.90.
0000
Oth
er1,
660,
000
7,30
02,
180,
000
8,73
0C
anad
a(2
7.9%
); F
ranc
e (1
5.8%
); B
razi
l (11
.2%
); R
epub
lic o
f K
orea
(5.
7%);
Aus
tral
ia(4
.4%
); T
haila
nd (
3.8%
); C
hile
(3.
5%);
Chi
na (
3.0%
);M
alay
sia
(3.0
%);
Phi
lippi
nes
(2.6
%);
Ger
man
y(2
.4%
); M
exic
o (2
.3%
);T
aiw
an(2
.1%
); J
apan
(1.8
%);
Arg
entin
a(1
.7%
); U
nite
d K
ingd
om(1
.7%
).T
otal
chr
omiu
m o
xide
s10
,700
,00 0
18,3
0011
,700
,000
20,5
0028
33.2
3.00
0 0C
hrom
ium
sul
fate
s78
,900
376
34,6
0014
5C
anad
a(2
6.3%
); R
epub
lic o
f K
orea
(24
.8%
); S
inga
pore
(17.
2%);
Hon
g K
ong
(16.
2%);
Dom
inic
an R
epub
lic(8
.1%
);U
nite
d K
ingd
om(3
.4%
); T
aiw
an (
2.5%
); I
ndia
(1.
6%).
Salts
of
oxom
etal
lic o
r pe
roxo
met
allic
aci
ds:
2841
.20.
0000
Zin
c an
d le
ad c
hrom
ate
65,5
00$2
6973
,800
$703
Can
ada
(44.
8%);
Tri
nida
d an
d T
obag
o(2
4.2%
); M
exic
o (1
1.4%
);N
ethe
rlan
ds A
ntill
es (
6.2%
); G
uate
mal
a (3
.4%
); A
ntig
ua(3
.3%
);Si
ngap
ore
(1.9
%);
Jam
aica
(1.
4%);
Hun
gary
(1.1
%).
2841
.30.
0000
Sodi
um d
ichr
omat
e37
,200
,000
25,0
0028
,900
,000
20,7
00Ja
pan
(70.
8%);
Can
ada
(9.2
%);
Ger
man
y(5
.0%
); M
exic
o (3
.7%
); P
eru
(2.4
%)
Tai
wan
(1.6
%);
Rep
ublic
of
Kor
ea (
1.3%
); P
hilip
pine
s(1
.2%
);B
razi
l(1.
1%).
2841
.50.
0000
Oth
er c
hrom
ates
, dic
hrom
ates
, and
per
oxoc
hrom
ates
:28
41.5
0.10
00Po
tass
ium
dic
hrom
ate
127,
000
285
181,
000
497
Can
ada
(99.
4%).
See
foot
note
s at
end
of
tabl
e.
TA
BL
E 4
U.S
. EX
POR
TS
OF
CH
RO
MIU
M M
AT
ER
IAL
S, B
Y T
YP E
1
2005
2006
Chromium—2006 17.15
Qua
ntity
Val
ueQ
uant
ityV
alue
HT
S2 c
ode
Typ
e(k
ilogr
ams)
(tho
usan
ds)
(kilo
gram
s)(t
hous
ands
)Pr
inci
pal d
estin
atio
ns in
200
6C
hem
ical
s,gr
oss
wei
ght—
Con
tinue
d:Sa
lts o
f ox
omet
allic
or
pero
xom
etal
lic a
cids
—C
ontin
ued:
2841
.50.
0000
Oth
er c
hrom
ates
, dic
hrom
ates
, and
pero
xoch
rom
ates
—C
ontin
ued:
2841
.50.
9000
Oth
er52
9,00
01,
650
667,
000
2,57
0H
ong
Kon
g(3
5.6%
); C
hina
(16
.5%
); C
anad
a (1
0.7%
); T
aiw
an (
7.6%
);M
exic
o(6
.7%
); R
epub
lic o
f K
orea
(5.
3%);
Ind
ones
ia (
3.2%
);B
elgi
um(2
.8%
); U
nite
d K
ingd
om(2
.5%
); T
haila
nd (
1.6%
); I
ndia
(1.
3%);
Arg
entin
a(1
.2%
).T
otal
sal
ts37
,900
,00 0
27,2
0029
,900
,000
24,4
00
3206
.20.
0000
Pigm
ents
and
pre
para
tions
, gro
ss w
eigh
t76
7,00
04,
090
1,33
0,00
06,
620
Can
ada
(27.
9%);
Aus
tral
ia (
22.7
%);
Mex
ico
(19.
2%);
Col
ombi
a (5
.1%
);G
erm
any
(2.3
%);
Bra
zil (
2.2%
); G
uate
mal
a (2
.2%
); J
amai
ca (
1.9%
);It
aly
(1.6
%);
Bar
bado
s (1
.5%
); R
epub
lic o
f K
orea
(1.
5%);
Tai
wan
(1.
5%);
Chi
na(1
.1%
); P
eru(
1.0%
).
4 Not
mor
e th
an 4
% c
arbo
n.
2 Har
mon
ized
Tar
iff
Sche
dule
of
the
Uni
ted
Stat
es o
f A
mer
ica.
3 Mor
e th
an 4
% c
arbo
n.
Sour
ce: U
.S. C
ensu
s B
urea
u.
TA
BL
E 4
—C
ontin
ued
U.S
. EX
POR
TS
OF
CH
RO
MIU
M M
AT
ER
IAL
S, B
Y T
YP E
1
2005
2006
XX
Not
app
licab
le.
1 Dat
a ar
e ro
unde
d to
no
mor
e th
an th
ree
sign
ific
ant d
igits
; may
not
add
to to
tals
sho
wn.
17.16 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
Gross weight Cr content Value Gross weight Cr content Value Gross weight Cr content ValueCountry (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands)
2005:Australia -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --China 94 66 212 -- -- -- -- -- --France 4 3 8 -- -- -- -- -- --Germany 5,810 4,070 11,700 -- -- -- -- -- --India -- -- -- 20 13 17 -- -- --Japan 2,870 2,010 8,130 -- -- -- -- -- --Kazakhstan 3,910 2,680 5,880 870 601 1,370 -- -- --Mexico 41 34 72 -- -- -- -- -- --Russia 27,300 18,800 39,600 1,830 1,240 2,030 -- -- --South Africa 2,950 1,630 2,760 810 446 905 -- -- --Sweden 38 27 136 -- -- -- -- -- --Turkey 5 3 12 -- -- -- -- -- --Zimbabwe -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Total 43,000 29,300 68,500 3,530 2,300 4,330 -- -- --2006:
Brazil 19 14 47 -- -- -- -- -- --China 710 475 1,220 10 7 16 -- -- --Germany 5,910 4,140 12,700 -- -- -- -- -- --India -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --Japan 2,770 1,920 8,800 -- -- -- -- -- --Kazakhstan 3,330 2,310 4,730 -- -- -- -- -- --Mexico 20 13 65 -- -- -- -- -- --Russia 13,400 9,300 18,700 -- -- -- -- -- --South Africa 1,800 1,060 1,410 19 16 20 -- -- --Sweden 35 25 121 -- -- -- -- -- --Tajikistan -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --Turkey 102 65 276 -- -- -- -- -- --Zimbabwe -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Total 28,100 19,300 48,000 29 23 35 -- -- --See footnotes at end of table.
Quantity Quantity Quantity(HTS2 code 7202.49.5090) (HTS2 code 7202.49.5010) (HTS2 code 7202.49.1000)
TABLE 5U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF FERROCHROMIUM, BY COUNTRY1
Not more than 0.5% carbon More than 0.5% but not more than 3% carbon More than 3% but not more than 4% carbon
Chromium—2006 17.17
Gross weight Cr content Value Gross weight Cr content ValueCountry (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands)
2005:Australia 13 9 11 13 9 11China 13 8 11 107 74 223France -- -- -- 4 3 8Germany -- -- -- 5,810 4,070 11,700India 20 12 16 40 24 33Japan -- -- -- 2,870 2,010 8,130Kazakhstan 115,000 79,400 112,000 119,000 82,700 119,000Mexico -- -- -- 41 34 72Russia 35,100 23,000 28,900 64,300 43,000 70,500South Africa 187,000 93,600 115,000 190,000 95,600 119,000Sweden 260 173 293 298 201 428Turkey -- -- -- 5 3 12Zimbabwe 61,200 36,200 47,500 61,200 36,200 47,500
Total 398,000 232,000 303,000 444,000 264,000 376,0002006:
Brazil -- -- -- 19 14 47China -- -- -- 720 481 1,240Germany -- -- -- 5,910 4,140 12,700India 70 51 51 70 51 51Japan -- -- -- 2,770 1,920 8,800Kazakhstan 98,800 68,800 85,300 102,000 71,100 90,000Mexico -- -- -- 20 13 65Russia 44,400 28,600 30,000 57,700 37,900 48,600South Africa 190,000 97,000 114,000 192,000 98,100 115,000Sweden 557 374 633 592 399 754Tajikistan 101 69 140 101 69 140Turkey -- -- -- 102 65 276Zimbabwe 59,000 34,600 43,000 59,000 34,600 43,000
Total 393,000 230,000 273,000 421,000 249,000 321,000
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
TABLE 5—ContinuedU.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF FERROCHROMIUM, BY COUNTRY1
-- Zero.1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.2Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States of America.
(HTS2 code 7202.41.0000) Total all gradesQuantity Quantity
More than 4% carbon
17.18 u.S.GEoloGiCAlSurVEymiNErAlSyEArBook—2006
Qua
ntity
Val
ue3
Qua
ntity
Val
ue3
HT
S2 c
ode
Typ
e(k
ilogr
ams)
(tho
usan
ds)
(kilo
gram
s)(t
hous
ands
)Pr
inci
pal s
ourc
es in
200
6C
hrom
ite o
re:
2610
.00.
0020
Not
mor
e th
an 4
0% C
r 2O
3:G
ross
wei
ght
36,0
00$1
711
7,00
0$9
Chi
na (
93.2
%);
Can
ada
(6.8
%).
Cr 2
O3
cont
ent
11,0
00X
X45
,000
XX
2610
.00.
0040
Mor
e th
an 4
0%, b
ut le
ss th
an 4
6% C
r 2O
3:G
ross
wei
ght
29,7
00,0
002,
400
3,81
0,00
067
4So
uth
Afr
ica
(100
%).
Cr 2
O3
cont
ent
13,7
00,0
00X
X1,
750,
000
XX
2610
.00.
0060
46%
or
mor
e C
r 2O
3:G
ross
wei
ght
135,
000,
000
20,7
0014
6,00
0,00
022
,800
Sout
h A
fric
a (1
00%
).C
r 2O
3 co
nten
t63
,600
,000
XX
76,3
00,0
0 0X
XT
otal
chr
omite
ore
:G
ross
wei
ght
165,
000,
000
23,1
0015
0,00
0,00
023
,500
Cr 2
O3
cont
ent
77,3
00,0
00X
X78
,100
,00 0
XX
Chr
omiu
m f
erro
allo
ys:
7202
.49.
5090
Not
mor
e th
an 0
.5%
car
bon:
Gro
ss w
eigh
t43
,000
,000
68,5
0028
,100
,000
48,0
00R
ussi
a(4
7.6%
); G
erm
any
(21.
1%);
Kaz
akhs
tan
(11.
9%);
Jap
an(9
.9%
);C
r co
nten
t29
,300
,000
XX
19,3
00,0
0 0X
XSo
uth
Afr
ica
(6.4
%);
Chi
na (
2.5%
).72
02.4
9.50
10M
ore
than
0.5
%, b
ut le
ss th
an 3
% c
arbo
n:G
ross
wei
ght
3,53
0,00
04,
330
29,0
0035
,500
Sout
h A
fric
a (6
5.5%
); C
hina
(34
.5%
).C
r co
nten
t2,
300,
000
XX
22,7
00X
X72
02.4
9.10
00M
ore
than
3%
, but
less
than
4%
car
bon:
Gro
ss w
eigh
t--
----
--C
r co
nten
t--
XX
--X
X72
02.4
1.00
00M
ore
than
4%
car
bon:
Gro
ss w
eigh
t39
8,00
0,00
030
3,00
039
3,00
0,00
027
3,00
0So
uth
Afr
ica
(48.
4%);
Kaz
akhs
tan
(25.
1%);
Zim
babw
e (1
5.0%
); R
ussi
a (1
1.3%
).C
r co
nten
t23
2,00
0,00
0X
X23
0,00
0,00
0X
X72
02.5
0.00
00Fe
rroc
hrom
ium
-sili
con:
Gro
ss w
eigh
t33
,700
,000
31,6
0038
,300
,000
32,2
00K
azak
hsta
n(6
5.3%
); R
ussi
a (2
2.8%
); S
outh
Afr
ica
(11.
7%).
Cr
cont
ent
14,1
00,0
00X
X15
,900
,00 0
Tot
al c
hrom
ium
fer
roal
loys
:G
ross
wei
ght
478,
000,
000
408,
000
459,
000,
000
389,
000
Cr
cont
ent
278,
000,
000
XX
265,
000,
000
XX
Chr
omiu
m m
etal
, gro
ss w
eigh
t:81
12.2
1.10
00U
nwro
ught
chr
omiu
m p
owde
rs1,
050,
000
15,0
001,
250,
000
17,0
00R
ussi
a(5
1.6%
); C
hina
(17
.7%
); U
nite
d K
ingd
om(1
4.5%
); J
apan
(11.
2%);
Ger
man
y(2
.3%
); S
pain
(1.5
%).
8112
.22.
0000
Was
te a
nd s
crap
57,5
0056
490
,400
864
Sin g
apor
e(4
7.9%
); J
apan
(26.
6%);
Ger
man
y(1
2.0%
); U
nite
d K
ingd
om(1
1.2%
); T
aiw
an (
1.3%
); F
ranc
e (0
.9%
).81
12.2
9.00
00O
ther
than
was
te a
nd s
crap
9,85
0,00
072
,100
9,54
0,00
071
,100
Rus
sia
(28.
9%);
Fra
nce
(26.
5%);
Chi
na (
26.1
%);
Uni
ted
Kin
gdom
(14.
9%);
Spai
n(2
.5%
); G
erm
any
(0.6
%).
Tot
al c
hrom
ium
met
al11
,000
,000
87,7
0010
,900
,000
89,0
00C
hem
ical
s,gr
oss
wei
ght:
Chr
omiu
m o
xide
s an
d hy
drox
ides
:28
19.1
0.00
00C
hrom
ium
trio
xide
11,4
00,0
0021
,600
9,09
0,00
017
,900
Tur
key
(50.
4%);
Kaz
akhs
tan
(30.
2%);
Uni
ted
Kin
gdom
(6.6
%);
Sou
th A
fric
a(5
.7%
); C
hina
(4.
4%);
Col
ombi
a (1
.5%
); G
erm
any
(0.8
%).
2819
.90.
0000
Oth
er3,
200,
000
11,0
002,
300,
000
8,08
0C
hina
(66.
0%);
Ger
man
y(1
5.5%
); J
apan
(9.4
%);
Uni
ted
Kin
gdom
(5.2
%);
Rus
sia
(1.3
%);
Isr
ael (
0.8%
); P
olan
d (.
8%).
Tot
al o
xide
s14
,600
,000
32,6
0011
,400
,000
26,0
0028
33.2
3.00
0 0Su
lfat
es o
f ch
rom
ium
288,
000
438
422,
000
823
Uni
ted
Kin
gdom
(86.
3%);
Chi
na (
8.1%
); I
ndia
(5.
6%).
See
foot
note
s at
end
of
tabl
e.
TA
BL
E 6
U.S
. IM
POR
TS
FOR
CO
NSU
MPT
ION
OF
CH
RO
MIU
M M
AT
ER
IAL
S, B
Y T
YP E
1
2005
2006
Chromium—2006 17.19
Qua
ntity
Val
ue3
Qua
ntity
Val
ue3
HT
S2 c
ode
Typ
e(k
ilogr
ams)
(tho
usan
ds)
(kilo
gram
s)(t
hous
ands
)Pr
inci
pal s
ourc
es in
200
6Sa
lts o
f ox
omet
allic
or
pero
xom
etal
lic a
cids
:28
41.2
0.00
00C
hrom
ates
of
lead
and
zin
c61
4,00
01,
440
416,
000
1,06
0R
epub
lic o
f K
orea
(73
.7%
); C
olom
bia
(20.
1%);
Aus
tria
(2.
4%);
Jap
an(2
.4%
);C
hina
(1.5
%).
2841
.30.
0000
Sodi
um d
ichr
omat
e8,
980,
000
5,36
016
,100
,000
11,0
00U
nite
d K
ingd
om(9
8.4%
); C
hina
(1.
0%).
2841
.50.
0000
Oth
er c
hrom
ates
and
dic
hrom
ates
;Pe
roxo
chro
mat
es:
2841
.50.
1000
Pota
ssiu
m d
ichr
omat
e84
,000
156
4,45
032
Indi
a(4
4.9%
); M
exic
o (3
7.1%
); J
apan
(18.
0%).
2841
.50.
9000
Oth
er21
2,00
050
729
9,00
067
6A
ustr
ia(7
6.5%
); C
hina
(23
.1%
).
Tot
al s
alts
:9,
890,
000
7,46
016
,800
,000
12,7
0028
49.9
0.20
0 0C
hrom
ium
car
bide
131,
000
$2,1
5012
6,00
0$2
,000
Japa
n(4
6.2%
); C
anad
a (1
8.0%
); G
erm
any
(13.
